On Wednesday’s NBC Nightly News, anchor Brian Williams took a moment to remember Vietnam War veteran, retired Colonel Robert Howard, who was awarded many honors for his heroic service, including the Medal of Honor, eight Purple Hearts, four Bronze Stars, and two Dinstinguished Service Crosses. Williams began his tribute: "We have a brief special word tonight about a very special man whose story you should know about, in part because his story will be told for generations to come. Robert Howard might have been the toughest American alive while he was among us. Bob was the only man ever to be nominated for the Medal of Honor three times for three separate acts of staggering heroism in combat."
After recounting some of the honors bestowed upon Colonel Howard, Williams related: "It's believed Bob Howard was the most heavily-decorated American veteran of the modern era, period."
The NBC anchor further recounted: "In one 54-month period he was wounded 14 times. He served five tours of duty in Vietnam. And in recent years, he loved his trips to Iraq and Afghanistan to visit the men and women in uniform and in the fight there."
Williams concluded: "That old expression, ‘They don't make them like him anymore,’ well, they don't. Bob Howard died today. He was 70 years old. Cancer did what the enemy never could do. It got him and brought him down. He leaves behind three children, several grandchildren, a lot of us who were proud to be his friend. In addition, Bob Howard leaves behind a grateful nation."
Below is a complete transcript of the piece by Williams from the Wednesday, December 23, NBC Nightly News:
BRIAN WILLIAMS: We have a brief special word tonight about a very special man whose story you should know about, in part because his story will be told for generations to come. Robert Howard might have been the toughest American alive while he was among us. Bob was the only man ever to be nominated for the Medal of Honor three times for three separate acts of staggering heroism in combat. But you can only receive one Medal of Honor per lifetime, and so that's what he got in 1971 from President Nixon. That's not all he got, though. He received eight Purple Hearts, eight of them. There were Silver Stars, four Bronze Stars, two Distinguished Service Crosses. It's believed Bob Howard was the most heavily-decorated American veteran of the modern era, period.
He was a proud product of Alabama, and he let you know it. He was a Green Beret, Special Forces. While technically he fought in the Vietnam War, he fought in Laos and Cambodia and all kinds of other places where we were once told U.S. forces weren't fighting at the time. In one 54-month period he was wounded 14 times. He served five tours of duty in Vietnam. And in recent years, he loved his trips to Iraq and Afghanistan to visit the men and women in uniform and in the fight there.
Bob had two master's degrees, but for the most part he was a soldier with only one employer. When he retired from service back in 2006, as a full colonel, he'd been an employee of the US government in all for 50 years. That old expression, "They don't make them like him anymore," well, they don't. Bob Howard died today. He was 70 years old. Cancer did what the enemy never could do. It got him and brought him down. He leaves behind three children, several grandchildren, a lot of us who were proud to be his friend. In addition, Bob Howard leaves behind a grateful nation.
—Brad Wilmouth is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.
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→ Thank you Brian Williams
Fri, 12/25/2009 - 17:42 ET by Cool ArrowThank you for reporting the news.
I'm glad you called each other "friend".
One issue
Fri, 12/25/2009 - 18:17 ET by ROTORHEAD77I applaud the "newsman" Brian Williams for actually reporting the news. What a loss to our nation. I do take issue with the fact that Williams asserts that, "They don't make them like him anymore."
One need to look no further than Afghanistan. Here, the men are fighting and dying everyday for our nation. You will never see or hear of a Marine or Soldier cowering under pressure. There are men leaving the wire in inadequate vehicles with pre-positioned tourniquets on both legs when stationed as the driver. These men don't whine, they don't complain, and some of them, on Christmas day (yes, today), lose both legs in combat. These Brian, are the men of whom you claim aren't being made anymore.
Rest in peace Colonel Howard. Your proud legacy lives on, on the battlefields of today.
R.I.P. to a great
Fri, 12/25/2009 - 19:02 ET by rbosqueR.I.P. to a great hero!
Compare him to those code pinko mutants and other communist hippies.
Well.. it must be
Fri, 12/25/2009 - 19:42 ET by USA4freedomWell.. it must be Christmas.
That being said, talk about a MAN among men.
R.I.P. Great warrior.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
God bless Bob Howard, his
Fri, 12/25/2009 - 20:09 ET by wolfemanicGod bless Colonel Robert Howard, his contribution to the greater of us all will be greatly missed.
Something don't jibe . . .
Fri, 12/25/2009 - 21:08 ET by GalvanicIf Colonel Howard was wounded 14 times, then why does he have only 8 Purple Hearts?
Purple hearts
Fri, 12/25/2009 - 21:36 ET by Left Coast DanMaybe he got tired of filling out the paperwork every time he needed a Band-Aid, as a certain winner of 3 did.
You have come to the right place to ask questions.
Sat, 12/26/2009 - 00:51 ET by JWFYou can receive more than one wound at the same time, say the arm and leg. But you will only get 1 purple heart.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
That's what is confusing about the transcript . . .
Sat, 12/26/2009 - 22:11 ET by GalvanicIt didn't say he had received 14 wounds. It says he was wounded 14 times. In military parlance, that's occasions when wounded, and not 14 separate injuries.
It's not surprising that NBC would get this garbled.
His Medal of Honor Citation . . .
Fri, 12/25/2009 - 21:15 ET by GalvanicCitation
(from cmoh.com)
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Howard (then Sfc .), distinguished himself while serving as platoon sergeant of an American-Vietnamese platoon which was on a mission to rescue a missing American soldier in enemy controlled territory in the Republic of Vietnam. The platoon had left its helicopter landing zone and was moving out on its mission when it was attacked by an estimated 2-company force. During the initial engagement, 1st Lt. Howard was wounded and his weapon destroyed by a grenade explosion. 1st Lt. Howard saw his platoon leader had been wounded seriously and was exposed to fire. Although unable to walk, and weaponless, 1st Lt. Howard unhesitatingly crawled through a hail of fire to retrieve his wounded leader. As 1st Lt. Howard was administering first aid and removing the officer's equipment, an enemy bullet struck 1 of the ammunition pouches on the lieutenant's belt, detonating several magazines of ammunition. 1st Lt. Howard momentarily sought cover and then realizing that he must rejoin the platoon, which had been disorganized by the enemy attack, he again began dragging the seriously wounded officer toward the platoon area. Through his outstanding example of indomitable courage and bravery, 1st Lt. Howard was able to rally the platoon into an organized defense force. With complete disregard for his safety, 1st Lt. Howard crawled from position to position, administering first aid to the wounded, giving encouragement to the defenders and directing their fire on the encircling enemy. For 3 1/2 hours 1st Lt. Howard's small force and supporting aircraft successfully repulsed enemy attacks and finally were in sufficient control to permit the landing of rescue helicopters. 1st Lt. Howard personally supervised the loading of his men and did not leave the bullet-swept landing zone until all were aboard safely.
1st Lt. Howard's gallantry in action, his complete devotion to the welfare of his men at the risk of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Mission Accomplished.
Fri, 12/25/2009 - 22:40 ET by pvoceMission Accomplished.
Since no video...
Fri, 12/25/2009 - 23:00 ET by DeskpilotOf the this Hero's passing, may I add what is certainly an appropriate note (or 24)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ftWerL1Wcs&feature=fvw
Sleep well, our faithful servant. For as you have honored us by your protection, we shall honor and celbrate your life.
My the kingdom of God and the Chorus of angels welcome you on behalf of the Unted States of America.
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read it in English, You're welcome - Deskpilot, AM(H)1 (AW), USN (Ret)
First of all, this is the
Sat, 12/26/2009 - 10:51 ET by jdhawkFirst of all, this is the same network that cheered on the antiwar protesters of Colonel Howard's day and "regaled" the nation with pictures of long-haired hippy dirtbags spitting on service members on their way through Oakland Airport home from Vietnam. Where the flight crews warned the returnees to strip out of their uniforms during the flight, if possible, or as soon after as practical to avoid being identified as being in the military. This is the same network, as were the only other two available, that declared Vietnam a lost cause and picked up the Hollyweird misconception that all Vietnam returnees were drug dazed baby killers.
While it is more than appropriate to honor this great soldier at the time of his death, this same network has not once come to the defense of our men and women that have been repeatedly denigrated by the likes of the despicable Congressman Murtha from PA's 8th district, among other dimocrats.
This network has never truly honored the heroes of our two present wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. There have been 4 awardees of the Medal of Honor in Iraq and two awardees of the Medal of Honor in Afghanistan so far.
By the way, Major General Smedly Butler won two Medals of Honor while serving in the Marine Corps. He shares the honor of having been twice awarded with 19 other service members. Also, not that Williams would bother to note the difference, but the Distinguished Service Cross, of which Colonel Howard was twice awarded, is the second highest medal awarded for bravery in combat.
+1
Sat, 12/26/2009 - 11:27 ET by ROTORHEAD77I couldn't agree with your post more. As the son of a proud Vietnam era draftee, and a current career military aviator, I see profiles in courage on a daily basis here in Afghanistan. Where is the recognition of their sacrifice? I would assume that it is coming, as their Messiah is now the proprietor of this war that we are losing, not due to the lack of valor and bravery on the lines, but due to the fact that Washington is once again making the battlefield calls.